Every year, more women than men die from heart disease. Yet, only one in five women believe that heart disease is their greatest health threat. It’s time for women to take more notice of this threat. Women need to recognize the risks and signs of heart disease.
The Risks of Heart Disease
The loss of natural estrogen with menopause increases the risk of heart disease for women. Changes in the walls of blood vessels also make it more likely for blood clots and plaque to form. Bad cholesterol goes up and good cholesterol goes down. Increases in fibrinogen levels make it more likely for blood clots to form and cause a heart attack in women.
Women can reduce the risks of heart disease by:
- Not smoking
- Losing weight to maintain a healthy body weight
- Eating foods low in trans fat and saturated fats
- Exercising more than 30 minutes three times a week
- Treating conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Staying mentally healthy and seeking treatment for depression
The Symptoms of Heart Disease in Women
Many women have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain like men. There may be neck pain, sweating, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue or pain in one or both arms. These symptoms may occur when women are resting or even sleeping.
Women also tend to go to emergency rooms after heart damage has already occurred because their symptoms are not ones that are usually associated with a heart attacks. It’s important for women to not downplay their symptoms and call for emergency help immediately. Even women under the age of 65 need to take heart disease seriously. Treatment for heart disease in women may include coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, and stenting. Doctors also recommend that women older than 65 take a daily 81-milligram of aspirin to prevent heart disease, as long as there is no risk of digestive bleeding and blood pressure is controlled.
At Peconic Bay Medical Center, health care professionals can diagnose heart disease in women and provide an appropriate treatment plan. Peconic Bay Medical Center has an emergency health center along with a wide range of health care services and wellness programs for women with heart disease. They even offer physical rehabilitation for post-heart attack care. Its treatment center is supported by state-of-the-art technology and has superior ratings for treatment and care. If you’d like to learn more about Peconic Bay Medical Center, contact us today.